Bin level indicator



June 20, 1944. J, A CROWLEY, JR., ET AL 2,352,080

'51N LEVEL INDICATOR Filed April 15, 1945 ET s .J NA, -f l EBN LEVEL ICATB Application April 15, 1943, Serial No. 483,200

7(1alms.

This invention relates to indicators and more particularly to apparatus for measuring and indicating in an automatic manner the level of a solid material in'a bin, container, or the like.

In the automatic measurement of the level of a solid material in a container, it is usually desirable to provide a follower which is maintained at all times atA the surface level of such material and may, through suitable connections, actuate apparatus from which sensory indication of level may be derived. Since, in the case of solid maferial, it is impossible to use a float for this purpose, it has been proposed in at least one instance, to provide a continuously operating screw so actuated as to drive itself to the surface' of the material upon uctuation in the level thereof ami to maintain itself in that position. The screw shaft, in apparatus of this kind, is thus axially displaced upon variation in the level of material in the container and an indicating device may be operated in response to such displacement of the screw shaft to afford either a remote or local indication of solid level. While the foregoing type of level indicator is satisfactory for certain kinds of material, it h'as the disadvantage that when used with solid material of large grain sise or tightly packed material of smaller grain size, such as clay, very considerable driving torque is necessary to force the screw through the material to the upper surface thereof. Since the driving force must bev supplied continuously, the arrangement becomes expensive to operate and the 4forces exerted become so great that a sufficiently sturdy device is diiiicult to construct. Thus, the 'cost of the indicator and the power required for driving it considerably restrict the economically feasible field of employment of an indicator of the continuously driven screw type.

In an effort to overcome the foregoing disadvantages it has been proposed to provide a follower mounted on a shaft adapted to reciprocate at a frequency only sufficient to keep it at the level of the solid material. In one instance, it has been proposed to drive the follower shaft by a pawl and the resulting construction has been successfully used where the total measured fluctuation is not very great. However, where the total fluctuation is very substantial, movement of ter-ed in intermittently raising a reciprocating fol` lower above the level of the material and then releasing the same for gravity fall to contact p0- sition, particularly where the path of movement is relatively great and hence subject to very considerable variation asv the level of the material in the container iiuctuates.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome the foregoing disadvantages and to provide an indicator of the reciprocating follower vtype in which the reciprocations, regardless of stroke length, are easily and conveniently effected at an adiustably predeterminable frequency, which frequency is automatically main tained irrespective of stroke variations of the follower shaft.

It is contemplated according to this invention that a level indicating device be provided which is of wide adaptability to all kinds of solid material regardless of flow characteristics, grain size, or tendency to agglomeration. Other objects and yadvantages of this invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the annexed drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic prospective view of an indicating device constructed according to this invention; and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of one form of frequency control for actuation ofthe material level follower of the device of Figure 1.

Referring now in greater detail to Figure l, it can be seen that a rod l0 is arranged to reciprocate-vertically through a bearing Il located in the top wall l2 of a tank or bin I3 containing. a Y solid material such as clay or the like, generally indicated at Il. 'I'he lower end of rod I0 is provided with a foot i5 of a configurationv and diameter such that it offers sufiicient surface area to the material I 4 to prevent its penetration below the surface thereof under the urging of the weight and/or acceleration of the rod and any elements supported thereby.

Rod it, at a point above bearing Il, is in the form of a rack I6, the teeth of which are disposed to mesh with gears l1 and Il mounted respectively on shafts I8 and 20. It will be understood that shafts land 20 are mounted in suitable conventional bearings, not shown, not only to absorb thrusts incident to rotation but also, through the respective gears, to prevent angular displacement of rack it away from'its meshing position. 0f course, in the latter connection, it is also possible to make those portions of rod i@ which pass through bearing i i and the bearing aperture of non -round cross section to inhibit its vertical axis.

Since it is contemplated that the illustrated ,device serve as an indicator while container I3 is being lled as well as when the level of material vI4 is static, means are-provided to keep the foot I3 at rest on the upper surface of the material. To this end an electric motor 2|, of

-the gear head type, is provided, the rotor shaft 22 of said motor being attached to the driving side of a magnetic clutch 23, of any conventional design. lThe driven side of clutch 23 is connected to shaft -24 on which gear 23 is mounted, the latter meshing vwith and driving gear 23 keyed to shaft 23 which, it willbe recalled, carries also thereon driving gear I3 in mesh with rack I3. It is contemplated. atleast in the illustrated form of the invention, that motor 2i be of a unidirectional type and that the rack be raised by'rotation of gear I3 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1. 7

. Clearly it is not desirable that clutch 23 be continuously engaged/since such action would result in a continuous driving force at gear I3 which would hold rack I3 in the broken line position and thus keep foot I3 at the top `of container 'I3 above the level of material I4 so that level measurement would not be possible. What is desired is that fooi. I3 be periodically raised to the top of container I3 and then allowed to fall to a position resting on the upper raising foot I3 up through the mass to the top of the container and allowing it to fall again to the surface to again register an accurate level indication. s l

Toattai'n theresults of the preceding paragraph, a timing device 211s associated with the circuit to the field of magnetic clutch 23. Upon reference to Figure 2 it can-be seen that .the timing device includes a shaft 28, driven at a constant speed from any source, not shown. Shaft -23 carries thereon a contact arm 23 which, at one point in its path of arcuate movement, contacts a conductor plate or point 33. The timer 21 is so constructed that an electric current may pass from a source through a conductor 3I into arm 23. The arm, however, is insulated from plate 33 except in the one angular position of contact. When the position of contact is reached current from conductor 3i may pass through arm 29 and plate 33 into'and through conductor 32, connected to the latterL and from thence to solenoid 33, the return circuit for which is made up of conductor 34. Thus, once in every revolution of timer 4shaft 23 the circuit to solenoid 33 will be closed and the latter energized. The frequency of successive energlzations is, of course, predeterminableby the rate of speed of shaft 23.

Each time that solenoid 33 is energized switch bar 33 is drawn upwardly into the notch in a spring. detentl 3B against the bias of spring 31 attached to arm 33, the latter being keyed, in common with .bar 33, to a shaft 39. Since a conductor 43 is connected to vbar 35 and a conductor 4I to springdetent 33, it is evident that the circuit to the eld of clutch 23 is closed every time solenoid 3 3 is energized. Due to the provision .of spring detent 33, however, the cir,- cuit to the field of magnetic clutch 23' is held closed when the arm 2l of timer 21 moves out of contact with plate 3 3 to ldeex 1ergize the solenpid 33. Thus, after solenoid 33 has been' momentarily energized, clutch 23 is closed and motor 2| drives the rack- I3 upwardly until pin 42 on rack I3 strikes arm 33 of the switch controlling the circuit t0 the magnetic clutch. As

soon as pin 42 has displaced .arm 43 suiilciently so that bar 33 is moved out of the notch in spring detent 33, the circuit to clutch 23 is broken. and the driving connection Vbe'tweenthefmotor 'and `engelllent with detent 33 after lpin 42 has moved below and -out of contact withv arm 33 because of the action of spring 31. The circuit to clutch 23 will thus remain Open' until solenoid 33 is again energired. It should be noted that the upward strokes of rack I3 arel shortened as angular displacement of arm 2l.- In view of the l arrangement of switch bar :s andsprlng detent 33 operational frequency can be keptl constant while the time during which the circuit to clutch 23 is closed is automatically varied to compensate for diil'erent lengths of stroke on the part of rack I3.

It has been previously mentioned that rack I3 in addition to meshing with gear I3` likewise meshes with a gear I1. Upon reference to Figure l it can be seen that shaft I3 on which gear I1 is mounted also carries agear 43 which, in turn, meshes with a Sear 44 mounted on a shaft 4l. Shaft 43, in addition to supporting gear 44,likewise carries a cam 43. A follower 41 is mounted in contact .with the cam and the movement of the follower adjusts a valve, not shown, located within housing 43. This valveserves to control the supply of air from a pressure container 43 to indicator 53. It will be understood that the valve 43 and indicator 33 maybe of any conventional type. The rate ofv i'iow of air through the valve, however, will be predetermined by he pos sition of follower 41. Similarly, the position of follower 41 will be predetermined by the angular position of cam 43 whenfoot- Il is at rest on the surface of the ymaterial I4 in container I3. The driving arrangement between rack I3 andcam 43 is such that when the rack is in its lowennost position, the air admitted through valve 43 to indicator 5I! will cause the latter to read "3. As the rack is raised the indicator will move from. l to "Full and will then drop back to a reading above "3 and less than -F'ul1" depending upon the level of the material inthe container. Thus, the operato; looks at the indicator immediately after an oscillation thereof and is so apprised of the exact level of the material I4 within container I 3 despite the fact that thewhole ar rangement except indicator 50 may be entirely enclosed within a housing. f

Although in the specicatlon and the accompanying drawing there isshown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention and vari ous modifications thereof, and although various alternatives are suggested, these are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention, but, on the contrary, are given for the purpose of illustrating it and instructing others in the principles thereof as well as the best practical manner of utilizing the invention in order that others may be enabled to modify it and apply it in numerous forms each as may be best suited as to conditionsand requirements in any particular lnldetermined raised position above the level of the material, means for periodically energizing said driving means, means responsive to the attainment by said follower of the predetermined position for de-energizing said driving means to release the said follower to fall to a position at rest on the surface of said material, and means re'- sponsive to the rest position of said follower for indicating material level. J,

2. A device for measuring the level of aV solid material in a container comprising. a follower adapted to rest on the surface of said material, means for raising said follower to a predetermined position above the material level in said container, electric means for driving said follower raising means, timing means for periodically energizing said electric means, means responsive to the attainment of said predetermined position by said follower for de-energizing `said'electrie means to release said follower to fall t'o a position at rest on the surface of said material and means responsive to the position "of said follower for rendering an indication of material level.

3. A device for measuring the level of a solid material in a container comprising, a follower adapted to rest on the surface oiy said material, means for raising said follower to a predetermined position above the material levelin said container, a motor, means including a clutch connecting said motor for drivingsaid follower raising means, timing means for periodically causing engagement of said clutch, means responsive to the attainment of said predetermined position by 4 said follower for causing disengagement -of said clutch to permit said follower to fall to a position at rest on the surface of said material, and means responsive to the position of said follower for rendering an indication of material level.

4. A device for measurins the level of a solid material in a container comprising, a follower adapted to rest on the surface of said material, means for raising said follower to a predetermined position above the material level in said container, an electric motor. means including an electric clutch connecting said motor for driving said follower raising means, timing means for periodically energizing said electric clutch for torque transmission, means responsive to the attainment of said predetermined position. by

'said follower for de-energizing said electric clutch to disconnect the motor from the follower raising means so that said follower falls to a position at rest on the surface of said material and means responsive to the position of said folowelr for rendering an indication of material eve .o indicator.

5. A device for measuring the level of a solid material in a container comprising, a follower adapted to rest on the surface of said material, means for periodically raising said follower above the level of said material and thereafter releasing it to fall to the surface of the material so as to maintain the follower at the surface level, a cam. means connecting the cam with thel material follower to alter the angular position of the former in response to axial displacement of the latter, a cam follower operated by said camra valve actuated by said cam follower, a source of iiuid under pressure, an indicating device, and means connecting said source and said indicating device through said valve whereby fiuctuations :in material level will change the angular position of the cam to open orclose the valve to thereby vary the amount of fluid under pressure supplied to said indicator.

6. A device for measuring the level of a solid material` in a container comprising. a follower adapted to reston the surface of said material,

means defining a rack extending ,upwardly from 'said follower, a driving pinion in engagement with said rack, power means for actuating said driving pinion in a rack raising direction, a timing device for periodically energizing said power means, means responsive to the attainment of a predetermined raised position on the part of said rack and follower for de-energizing said power means whereby the rack and follower will fall bygravity until the'latter rests on the-surface of the material, and means responsive to the vertical position of the rack for indicating level.

7. A device formeasuring the level of a solid material in a container comprising, a follower adapted to rest on the surface of said material, means defining a rack extending upwardly from said follower, a driving pinion in engagement with said rack, power means for actuating said driving pinion in a rack raising direction. a timing device for periodically energizing said power means, means responsive to the attainment of a predetermined raised position on the part of said rack and follower for de-energizing said power means whereby the rack and follower will fall by gravity until the latter rests on the surface of the material, a cam,'gearing establishing a driving connection between the cam' and rack so that axial displacement of the latter will cause angular displacement of the former, a cam follower operated by said cam, a valve actuated by said cam follower, a source of fluid under pressure an indicating device, and means connecting said source and said indicating device through said valve whereby fluctuations in material level will change the angular position of the cam to open or close the valve to thereby vary the amount of duid under pressure supplied to said JOHN A. CROWLEY, Jn. EDWARD L. SINCLAIR. 

